Got a call this morning that John may have been in an accident but the details were all sketchy. After a bunch of phone calls I was able to get this info from a friend with a Blue Knights connection:

John was involved in a 1 vehicle motorcycle accident this afternoon, in French Settlement. He was apparently passing a vehicle and realized he could not make it and hit his rear brakes and started skidding, then when he hit his front brakes he high sided his bike. Upon hitting the ground he rolled approx 50 ft. All of this is per the reporting deputy.

He is now at Our Lady of the Lake (hospital) in Baton Rouge in ICU. He has a slight brain bleed on one side, which the neurologist is saying is minor. He also has a broken clavicle and several broken ribs. He is under heavy sedation at this time. He does respond to verbal stimulus but has not been fully conscious since the accident. Please do not go to visit expecting to see him in ICU as this time should be for family only, as only 2 people can visit at a time during a 30 minute slot. Don't let this stop you from going to the hospital and visiting with his family, just do not take the visiting time from his family.

A little while after that I got this info from John's wife after a friend was able to track her down on Facebook:

"I just left ICU and he is has been weened off of sedation. He is responsive to my voice but hasn't opened his eyes. I will be back at the hospital around 330. This is a good sign. Keep him in your prayers. Thanks!"

It seems that his condition is improving, but everyone please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

update; just saw John and he was much more verbal and aware. Still doesn't recognize everyone but it takes time. The did PT this morning and are putting a feeding tube in so he can have real nutrition and eventually, real food.

This is from 6:45 pm 7/11/13

update: i managed to get John to open his eyes enough to see his pupils. He didn't recognize me but he knows my voice. The nurse shaved him and brushed his teeth. He looks really good.

Certainly excellent news that he's improving and coming around, but unfortunate to hear that he's having some problems with recognition. Continued thoughts and prayers that he will recover and go home as if this never happened.

Update: today John flipped off a friend that was picking on him about being a Marine! Then he said I was aggravating him. He is so much better today than yesterday. He is tired of hearing just my voice so please come visit

This sounds much more like the John I know! Hoping I can make the time to go visit him this week.

9:00 am 7/16/2013John had a setback today, continue to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. John had a rough day and night. His blood sugar is extremely high, his BP is high, and he is running a low grade fever. They are taking the necessary steps to fix these things. Still come visit.

11:00 am 7/16/2013UPDATE ON John Colter: He has been moved back to SICU at the Lake. Visitation is limited again. Please keep them in thoughts and prayers!

Unfortunate setbacks, but John has had BP and diabetes/blood sugar problems in the past so hopefully they just get that under control and it won't impact the rest of his recovery. Sad that visitation is limited again...

the news this morning is John is doing well...he's having some good moments as his brain heals...and there's all hope by doctors and supporters he will recover fully...bottom lineQUOTE:As far as they can tell, they expect a full recovery. It is up to John and how hard he works and he does at Touro.

Yes we pray for his physical recovery...we put ourselves in his shoes...boots if you will...and pray for his emotional journey and healing...We pray for his strength & motivation in his recovery, there will be up moments and certainly downs, pray for progress over time that is tangible & encouraging

the news this morning is John is doing well...he's having some good moments as his brain heals...and there's all hope by doctors and supporters he will recover fully...bottom lineQUOTE:As far as they can tell, they expect a full recovery. It is up to John and how hard he works and he does at Touro.

Yes we pray for his physical recovery...we put ourselves in his shoes...boots if you will...and pray for his emotional journey and healing...We pray for his strength & motivation in his recovery, there will be up moments and certainly downs, pray for progress over time that is tangible & encouraging

7/23/13 12:00 pm:John was transferred to Touro as of 3:30pm. I will join him when they teller it's time. You can Google Touro for visitation times. Rehab is a good thing.

Then a post by Sticks on the VTXOA:John was moved to Touro in New Orleans yesterday. He is in room M-621, I visited him today but sue to his head injury he really didn't know who I was. He was telling me about a flight he and I made yesterday and mistakes I made during the flight. He looks good, has an injury above his left eye and of course road rash on both arms. He is aware of his name and was able to tell dietary what he wanted to eat for tomorrow but then reverted back to call me Chief as if I was in service with him. Anyone wanting to visit Anita would probably appreciate it. Hopefully the more friends visit the better chance he will start putting things back together. If you enter on Foucher St go past the information desk, take elevators on right and when exiting look for directions to M6 area. Nurses will have to buzz you into the patient area for the visit. Please everyone keep John and his family in your prayers that his recovery is speedy.